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CBSE issues practical exam guidelines 2025–26; mandates geo-tagged photos, same-day mark submission

CBSE has released SOPs for Class 10 and 12 practical exams 2025–26. Fixed timelines, same-day mark uploading, geo-tagged photos and strict verification has been made mandatory. Class 10 will follow internal assessments, while Class 12 requires external examiners. The extensions of last date or post-submission corrections will be allowed, with strong penalties for non-compliance.

CBSE board practical exam guidelines. (Image: Getty Images)
CBSE board practical exam guidelines. (Image: Getty Images)
| Updated on: Dec 02, 2025 | 02:26 PM

New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education has released detailed guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for conducting CBSE Class 10, 12 practical exams, project work and internal assessments for the 2025–26 academic session. In the circular, strict instructions for schools, examiners and students are mentioned. As per the guidelines, the deadlines will not be flexible and all procedures must be followed exactly as stated.

CBSE has warned schools that errors in uploading marks, violations of procedures or attempts to seek corrections after submission will not be entertained under any circumstances. Any breach of the SOPs may result in cancellation and re-conduct of practical exams under direct board supervision. 

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Separate timelines for regular, winter-bound schools

CBSE has announced different schedules for the two categories of schools. The board has stressed that no extension of dates will be provided and all schools must complete the assessments within the prescribed window.

  • Regular schools: January 1 to February 14, 2026
  • Winter-bound schools: November 6 to December 6, 2025

Same-day uploading of marks mandatory

To prevent mistakes and ensure transparency, the board has instructed schools and examiners to upload marks on the same day the practical or project assessment is completed. For Class 12, the practical answer book will now include a special undertaking where both internal and external examiners must confirm that the marks entered online are accurate.

Only school-based practical exam for Class 10

CBSE will not appoint external examiners for Class 10. Award lists must be sealed and stored securely in the school’s strong room for one year, and should not be sent to the Regional Office. The schools need to

  • Conduct all practical work internally
  • Arrange their own answer books
  • Upload marks using an Excel-based system provided on the CBSE portal

External examiners, observers compulsory for Class 12

The CBSE board will appoint both external examiners and observers if required. Schools are not allowed to appoint substitutes under any circumstances. If an appointed examiner fails to report, the matter must be immediately brought to the Regional Office.

Before the exam day, the external examiner must also inspect the laboratory to ensure the availability of apparatus, chemicals and all required equipment.

Batch size limit, geo-tagged photographs

Each practical batch can include up to 30 students, with the option to split into smaller groups of 15. The entire batch must be examined on the same day. Schools must also upload geo-tagged and time-stamped group photos showing-

  • All students in the batch
  • External and internal examiners
  • Observer (if deployed)
  • The laboratory setup

Strict guidelines for absentees, misconduct

  • Students may be marked 'Rescheduled' only if they can be examined within the official window.
  • No practical exams will be allowed after the last date.
  • Students who do not appear will be marked 'Absent.'
  • Any attempt to influence examiners will be treated as Unfair Means (UFM).

Award lists, answer book procedures

For Class 12:

  • Only one hard copy of the award list is needed.
  • It must be signed by both examiners and sealed.
  • A scanned copy (from a table-top scanner only) must be uploaded.
  • Practical answer books must be sent to the Regional Office via insured or registered post.

For Class 10:

  • Award lists stay with the school and are not required to be sent to the board.

IPS-based payments, documentation

CBSE has shifted all payments related to practical exams to the Integrated Payment System (IPS). Schools must maintain complete records, including exam dates, batch details, examiner names and bank information.

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